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Bucs should focus on explosive weapons for offense at combine

Here's a closer look at the positions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:

Positions of need:

The Bucs need upgrades at wide receiver, safety and tight end. Receiver Vincent Jackson is 34 and at the end of his contract. They need another talented tight end aside from Cameron Brate. Safeties Bradley McDougald and Chris Conte are scheduled to become free agents, and both struggled before Week 10. The team devoted a lot of attention to cornerback last year, and it paid off. They need to do that at safety.

Given the uncertainty of the situation with Doug Martin, the Bucs need to address running back as well, and they might have to do it with a high draft pick. They also aren't as satisfied with their pass rush as people might think. They drafted Noah Spence last year and signed Robert Ayers as a free agent -- both players performed well -- and they'll have Jacquies Smith back from injury. But that won't stop them from eyeing a player who could dramatically change their ability to pressure the quarterback.

Targets:

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: Brate emerged as a weapon for the Bucs this season, but that doesn't mean the Bucs won't be paying close attention to Howard. At 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, he would help fulfill the vision general manager Jason Licht had when he drafted tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and receiver Mike Evans in 2014 and called them the "Dunkaneers." Two years ago, Howard dominated in the College Football Playoff National Championship, with five catches for 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said at the end of the season that he wants "guys that can make explosives, guys that can catch a 10-yard pass, break one tackle and turn it into a 30-yard gain. Our run after the catch is not where it needs to be." That's Davis, who has a second gear after the ball gets in his hands.

He produced an FBS-record 5,285 career receiving yards and 52 receiving touchdowns. The most important part of Davis' combine will likely happen behind closed doors, though. Davis underwent "minor" ankle surgery and won't run at the combine. He also missed the Senior Bowl because of a shoulder injury. The Bucs, like other teams, will want to know the status of those injuries.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State: Cook passed former Bucs running back Warrick Dunn as FSU's all-time leading rusher this past season, finishing his career with 4,464 rushing yards, 46 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. He averaged about 6.5 yards per carry in his three-year career.

Cook brings a lot of concerns off the field, however. In 2015, he was suspended from the team, then found not guilty after a woman accused Cook of punching her in the face outside a Tallahassee bar. In July 2014, he was cited by the City of Tallahassee Animal Services for chaining three puppies around the neck and failing to provide shelter. Cook was also arrested twice as a juvenile, but charges were later dropped.

With these incidents in mind, it might make sense for the Bucs to look toward other options, such as Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt.

Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: At 6-6 and 272 pounds, Charlton has some freakish athletic ability, which should make him a fun player to watch at the combine. He can anchor against the run, has nice natural bend and is building up his pass-rush moves. He also possesses long arms to bat down balls and get a hand on the quarterback. His 5.5 sacks in his final four games, including 2.5 sacks and nine tackles against then-No. 2 Ohio State, showed what he could do when fully healthy. The one knock that jumps out on tape is his sometimes sluggish get-off from the line of scrimmage. Most of his production didn't come until his final season, so consistency would be a concern as well.